Moldovan native wins Cork marathon

OLIVIA KELLEHER See http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0607/breaking40.html

A native of Moldova who is the reigning national marathon champion in Ireland was first over the finish line in the Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon today in a time of 2:25:54, beating the official record for the event by 1 minute 42 seconds.

Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers is the reigning national marathon champion in Ireland, achieving a personal best of 2.22.06 last October in the Dublin Marathon. Today, Sergiu Ciobanu smashed the official race record in Cork set in 2007 by Alan O'Shea of 2:27:36.

Ciobanu (26) was born and raised in the small town of Marculesti in Moldova and moved to Ireland four years ago. He came to Ireland mainly in search of work, but also with the ambition of keeping his running career alive.

Sergiu, who lives in Co Clare, said he was pleased with his performance particularly given the wet weather conditions.

"I am very happy to be in Cork. It is my first time here. I really enjoyed it but the weather was a little bit tough and windy. Half way I started to really enjoy it because it (the course) was flat and without wind and rain. The course is not a big difference than Dublin. But it was nice and perfect weather in Dublin (marathon) unlike here so I think that is why I ran in a bit slower time than Dublin. I am looking forward to the future."